Common scams targeting students

Common scams targeting students

How do you identify and avoid a scam? Some frauds targeting students are subtler and more complex than you might expect.

Unfortunately, numerous students fall victim each year, sometimes losing substantial amounts of money.  

 

Updated as of March 2025

Common types of scams

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Pretending that you are involved in a criminal case

Scammers pretend that you are involved in a criminal case and ask you to disclose your personal information or transfer money.

How it works
  • You receive a phone call from individuals claiming to be police officers, accusing you of being involved in a criminal case. They may ask to meet with you online, and they may wear a fake police uniform.
  • They recite your accurate personal information (full name, date of birth, ID number) to gain trust.
  • To make the claim more convincing, they might add you on social media, send fake documents with official seals, criminal records, or even an arrest warrant.
  • They instruct you to "prove your innocence" by keeping a large sum of money in your bank account and then transferring it to a specified account for “verification.”
  • They threaten immediate arrest, reporting the case to the university, or expulsion if you do not comply.
  • They also warn you not to inform anyone, claiming it could “interfere with the investigation.”
How to avoid the scam
  • Government agencies and law enforcement will never demand money or personal information over the phone or online.
  • Do not share personal details with unknown callers or messages.
  • If you receive such a call, hang up and report the scam to the local authorities.

Tuition fee scam

Scammers claim to be a university staff member and request you transfer money to cover tuition fees. 

How it works
  • You receive an email, call, or message from someone claiming to be a university staff member. 
  • They say your tuition fees are overdue or that you qualify for a discount if you pay immediately. 
  • They provide fake bank details and insist you transfer money to an unofficial account. 
How to avoid the scam

Fake scholarships and study abroad opportunities

Scammers pretend to university staff members, inviting you to participate in a prestigious scholarship or exchange program. 

How it works
  • You receive an email, call, or message from someone claiming to be a university staff member, mentioning that you were selected to participate in a prestigious scholarship or exchange program.  
  • To gain trust, they will add you on social media, show you fake documents with your accurate personal information (full name, date of birth, student ID) to gain trust. 
  • You will be asked to pay upfront fees for “registration,” “visa processing,” or “document verification” to secure your spot. Once you have transferred the amount that they asked for, they may request more money. 
How to avoid the scam

If you think you are being scammed

If you are an RMIT student and suspect you have been or are being scammed, you are strongly encouraged to contact the RMIT Safer Community service for advice and support.

You can learn more about staying safe online and remain vigilant.   

You can also report the incident to the local police and the Information Security Department (link in Vietnamese).